Does your children’s fashion sense change on a weekly basis? Not sure what to do with your clutter? Giving is always in style! Diabetes Canada’s reusable goods donation program makes it convenient for Coquitlam residents to donate their reusable clothing and small household items year-round. In addition to free residential pick-ups and clothing donation boxes, Diabetes Canada is excited to announce Coquitlam residents can now donate their reusable goods at a new Donation Centre located at #103 – 221 Blue Mountain Street. This location is open to accept donations from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
In Canada, diabetes has reached epidemic proportions—today, 11 million people are living with diabetes or prediabetes, including 1.5 million British Columbians with diabetes or prediabetes. Another Canadian is diagnosed with diabetes every three minutes. Diabetes increases a person’s risk for many serious complications such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure leading to dialysis, and blindness.
“It is important to us that we not only raise funds for diabetes, but that we do so in a way that makes a positive difference to the environment by diverting items from our landfills—and we’re pleased to offer Coquitlam residents another convenient way to donate to our program,” says Maria Avgerinos, operations manager for Coquitlam with Diabetes Canada’s reusable goods donation program. “We would like to take this opportunity to also thank our generous donors for their continued support of our program over the years.”
Proceeds raised from this program help send 2,500 children and youth with type 1 diabetes and their families to Diabetes Canada’s D-Camps across Canada including Camp Kakhamela in Gibsons, B.C., where kids meet and are inspired by each other to manage their diabetes well with the help of health-care personnel. Additionally, funds raised have helped fund more than $135 million over the last 40 years in world-leading Canadian research to improve the quality of life of people living with diabetes or prediabetes and to find a cure.
Items accepted at the Donation Centre include gently used clothing items, shoes, hand bags, towels, linens and small housewares. For more information about Diabetes Canada’s reusable goods donation program and the many ways to donate, please call toll-free 1-800-505-5525 or visit declutter.diabetes.ca.